By: Mark Vest | Farmington Press | Published May 21, 2024
FARMINGTON HILLS — At approximately 8 p.m. May 18, the Farmington Hills Police Department responded to a residence in the 22000 block of Elmgrove Street on a report of an injured man who had been attacked by a family dog, which is believed to be a pitbull mix, according to a press release from the city of Farmington Hills.
A family member of the resident called 911 to report that he went to his relative’s home after not hearing from him all day, and upon arrival, the family member found the man unconscious, laying on the ground in the backyard of the home with the dog pulling at his body.
The family member advised that he had separated and contained the dog in the house prior to calling 911.
There were no other people in the house, according to the release.
“When officers arrived on scene, they found a 40-year-old man unconscious with significant wounds consistent with animal bites,” the release states. “Farmington Hills Fire Department firefighter/paramedics arrived on scene, provided aid and transported the victim to Corewell Hospital Farmington Hills, where he ultimately succumbed to his wounds.”
The Oakland County Medical Examiner performed an autopsy and ruled the manner of death as accidental and the cause as a K-9 mauling.
The dog was turned over to Oakland County Animal Control.
According to the release, investigators are working with family members to determine if the dog had any previous history of aggression or could have been labeled as “dangerous or potentially dangerous,” according to Farmington Hills’ city ordinance.
Anyone with information related to the incident is asked to contact the Farmington Hills Police Department at (248) 871-2610.